Don Warrington: Family, Career, and Death in Paradise Role

Don Warrington has been a fixture on British screens for decades, yet he remains one of the most private actors in the business. This profile pulls together the facts about his career, his family, and the two sons who followed him into the spotlight.

Born: 23 May 1951 ·
Birthplace: Trinidad ·
Occupation: Actor ·
Years active: 1974–present ·
Notable works: Rising Damp, Death in Paradise

Five key facts about Don Warrington, drawn from biographical sources and verified coverage:

Who is Don Warrington’s famous son?

His sons

• Don Warrington has two sons: Archie Maddocks and Jake Fairbrother (HELLO!)
• Archie Maddocks has built a career as a comedian and playwright (HELLO!)
• Jake Fairbrother is an actor who appeared in Skyfall and later in TV dramas (Mirror)

Their careers

• Archie Maddocks was a finalist for New Acts of the Year and English Comedian of the Year in 2014 (YouTube)
• Jake Fairbrother worked on Grace, Vera, and The Sandman (Mirror)
• Jake appeared alongside his father on Death in Paradise in 2022 (Mirror)

Bottom line: Archie Maddocks, Warrington’s son, is the more publicly recognized of the two, having gained traction in comedy circles. For fans of Death in Paradise, Jake Fairbrother’s cameo alongside his father is a memorable highlight.

Who is Don Warrington married to?

His wife’s identity

• Warrington is married to actress and director Mary Maddocks (HELLO!)
• Mary Maddocks has worked in the West End as both a performer and director (HELLO!)

Marriage duration

• A German-language biography states Warrington has been married for more than two decades (German Wikipedia)
• The couple live in North London, according to tabloid coverage (Birmingham Mail)

The pattern: Warrington keeps his private life decidedly off-camera. That his wife is an industry professional explains the family’s deep roots in the business, yet public details remain scarce.

Did Don Warrington leave Death in Paradise?

Reasons for leaving

• Speculation about Warrington leaving Death in Paradise has circulated but no official confirmation has been released (HELLO!)
• Some reports suggest the character Selwyn Patterson was written out for story reasons (Mirror)

Future appearances

• Warrington’s agent has not announced any permanent departure; the actor continues to take other roles (Express)
• He remains active in theatre and television outside the show (HELLO!)

“I’ve got two parents who are both actors” – Archie Maddocks, quoted by HELLO!

The trade-off: For a show that relies on continuity, losing a long-standing character like Selwyn changes the ensemble’s dynamic. Warrington’s potential departure would leave a gap that the producers would need to fill with a new commissioner.

Why was Selwyn written out of Death in Paradise?

Plot reasons

• The character Selwyn Patterson was written out to create dramatic tension, though specific plot details are not publicly confirmed (Mirror)
• Some fans speculated that his exit was linked to budget or creative changes, but no official statement exists (Express)

Actor’s reaction

• Warrington reportedly took the character’s exit in stride, focusing on other projects (HELLO!)
• He has not publicly discussed the decision beyond confirming his schedule (YouTube)

Why this matters: The ambiguity around Selwyn’s exit has fueled online speculation. For the show’s audience, the lack of clarity means every episode now carries the weight of a possible farewell.

What are Don Warrington’s most notable roles?

Rising Damp

• Warrington starred as Philip Smith in the ITV sitcom Rising Damp from 1974 to 1978 (Wikipedia)
• The show earned cult status and introduced Warrington to a national audience (Express)

Death in Paradise

• He has played Commissioner Selwyn Patterson since 2011 (Wikipedia)
• The role made him familiar to a global audience across BBC and streaming (German Wikipedia)

Other TV and film appearances

• Warrington has had guest roles in Doctor Who, Casualty, and stage productions (IMDb)
• He continues to take on new projects, including the thriller film Gassed Up (2023) (HELLO!)

“I had the chance to work with my father on Death in Paradise – that was a real thrill.” – Jake Fairbrother, as reported by Mirror

The takeaway: Warrington’s career spans five decades and two iconic roles. The range – from a sitcom tenant to a Caribbean police commissioner – shows an actor who adapts without losing gravitas.

Confirmed facts and what’s still unclear

What we know for sure

• Don Warrington is an actor born in Trinidad on 23 May 1951 (Wikipedia)
• He played Philip Smith in Rising Damp and Selwyn Patterson in Death in Paradise (Wikipedia)
• He has two sons: Archie Maddocks and Jake Fairbrother (HELLO!)
• He received an MBE in 2008 (Express)
• He is married to actress Mary Maddocks (HELLO!)
• He lives in North London (Birmingham Mail)

What remains unclear

• Whether Don Warrington has permanently left Death in Paradise (Express)
• The exact number of children (some sources list only one child) (IMDb)
• The specifics of his character’s exit from the show (Mirror)
• The details of his private life beyond tabloid coverage (HELLO!)

The pattern: Warrington’s public persona is tightly controlled. While his professional achievements are well-documented, his family and personal choices remain largely behind a curtain.

For a deeper look into his financial standing and personal milestones, Don Warringtons biography and net worth provides a comprehensive overview.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Michael Gambon: Irish-English Actor, Dumbledore, and Legacy – a profile of another British acting legend.
• Adeel Akhtar: Bio, Wife, Ethnicity, BAFTA & Recent TV Shows – a closer look at a contemporary actor’s career.

For the millions who have tuned into Death in Paradise over the years, Don Warrington’s role as the stern but fair Commissioner is inseparable from the show’s charm. His future with the series remains undecided, but his place in British television history is secure. For fans hoping to see more of him, the best bet is to keep watching – and maybe catch him on stage or in his sons’ projects.